AQHA Professional Horseman and Team Wrangler member Todd Crawford describes the advantages of transitioning your green horse from a hackamore to a bridle.

When your horse is ready to step up to the bridle, there’s a trick that could help.

Using a bosal and mecate can be an important tool when transitioning your horse from a hackamore to a bridle.

The bosal sits under the bridle and can be adjusted to fit your particular horse. The bosal also acts as your reins as you adjust and put on your bridle.

Traditionally, romel reins are left unattached until they are ready to be used. AQHA Professional Horseman and Team Wrangler member Todd Crawford leaves his reins over the saddle until he is ready to connect them to the bridle.

A “get-down” rope, attached to the bottom of the bosal, is thrown up over the saddle horn in a couple of half-hitch knots.

How to Hold the Two-Rein Set-Up

Sometimes it can feel like you’ve got a whole lot of reins and not a whole lot of space. To remedy that situation, Todd recommends shortening your mecate reins so that they are a reasonable length.

There are a lot of ways to hold the reins, and most of them are perfectly legal. Todd prefers a grip that includes a few fingers in-between the reins, which gives him a bit more feel for his horse.

Making Adjustments for Better Control

Using your romel reins to adjust your control can be easily done by pulling on them with your off hand. This causes your riding hand to slide forward, tightening the reins and giving you a better feel.

To loosen them, simply do the reverse and feed reins to your horse with your off hand.

Daily Newsletters

About the Association

The American Quarter Horse Association, located in Amarillo, Texas, is the world’s largest equine breed registry and membership organization.

AQHA members share a passion for the American Quarter Horse and the vast lifestyle created by the world’s most popular horse.

Whether you’re a seasoned horse show veteran, a fan of the race track, a backyard horse enthusiast or simply someone dreaming of someday owning a horse, AQHA membership will benefit you in countless ways.